Subject: Re: early press conference coverage From: [email protected] Date: Fri, 27 Aug 2010 01:37:45 +0000
To: "Joni Worthington"
Members of the Board. You will read about a lot of these stories tomorrow. These stories concern potential academic infractions by student athletes at QNC Chapel Hill. These potential academic infractions were discovered by university officials in the course of their investigation with the NCAA into other issues concerning players and agents. I have met with the Chancellor and the Athletic Director. They have been open , transparent and completely forthcoming. As the Chancellor said so well tonight we are all so sorry to even be in a position where these problems would need to be discussed in connection with the University of North Carolina. We do not know the extent of these problems at this time. But we are investigating this matter fully and as expeditiously as possible , and we will get to the bottom of it. And when we do we will deal with it appropriately as you would expect the University to do. Erskine Erskine B. Bowles - sent via BlackBerry
Original Message From: Joni worthington
Modified Thu, Aug 26, 2010 08:06 PM
UNC finds possible academic misconduct during NCAA probe
The NCAA's investigation into North Carolina's football program - which began with a probe into possible improper contact between players and agents - has expanded into academics, UNC chancellor Hoiden Thorp said Thursday night.
Thorp said that during the joint investigation with the NCAA, the school learned of possible academic misconduct that involves an undergraduate tutor and members of the football team. "We are treating this with the seriousness you would expect from this University,1' Thorp said. "We will figure this out. ... We hope the scope of this is limited."
Athletic Director Dick Baddour said the focus of the academic investigation is on football, but that the school would look at it as an opportunity to take a look into the tutoring program within other athletic programs.
"Nothing is more important than the character ... and integrity of this football program,'' coach Butch Davis said.
Davis said the tutor that is in question "is someone that has previously been employed by our family."
She was employed by the family to be an academic coach and academic adviser, Davis said.
"This is someone who worked with our son, and to be honest with you, we're a little bit surprised and possibly disappointed, M Davis said of the tutor. "But there's been no revelation ... as to what actually transpired."
Baddour said he could not talk the number of players involved, or name the tutor, who has since been terminated. "We are looking at improprieties that occurred outside the classroom,'' he said.
Athletics director Dick Baddour said it is likely the review will extend into the football season.
"The investigation now how two prongs,'' Baddour said. "I want to caution you about making assumptions if student-athletes don't play. ... We resolve to find any misconduct and deal with it seriously." For about two months, the NCAA and the school have been investigating a possible improper relationship with sports agents in the school's football program. An undisclosed number of players were interviewed when NCAA investigators visited campus July 12 and 13, and investigators conducted more interviews during a return trip earlier this month.
Defensive tackle Marvin Austin and wide receiver Greg Little were among the players interviewed. The investigation also involves associate head coach John Blake.
One potential violation of NCAA rules occurred when former UNC defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer paid for Austin and then Tar Heel defensive tackle Cam Thomas to train in California in the summer of 2009. Thomas confirmed that Balmer paid for the trip, which may be construed as an extra benefit by the NCAA.
Thomas and Austin trained at Proactive Sports Performance in Westlake Village, Calif. That facility is where clients of California-based agent Gary Wichard of Pro Tect Management train for the NFL draft.
Blake, the North Carolina assistant coach, is a former Pro Tect vice president and a longtime associate of wichard, who also is Balmer'S agent.
Since Austin and Thomas trained at Pro Tect and then played for the Tar Heels in 2O09, there is a chance North Carolina will have to vacate its records from the 2009 season.
Austin also was connected with the NCAA's investigation at the University of South Carolina, where the NCAA also has interviewed multiple players. Tight end Weslye
Saunders was asked about his friendship with Austin, his online interaction with Austin on the social media site Twitter, and a trip to Washington, D.C., according to Barry Saunders, Weslye's father.
Saunders is a metro columnist for the News & observer. UNC announced the Thursday night press conference around mid-afternoon, when coach Butch Davis' regularly scheduled pre-practice briefing with the media.
WTVD-11:
UNC investigating academic infractions
Updated at 08:05 PM today
CHAPEL HILL (WTVD) -- UNC Chapel Hill called a news conference Thursday evening after reports surfaced about possible academic infractions involving its football team.
The newa conference began around 7:30 p.m. UNC Chancellor Hoiden Thorp, UNC Athletic Director Dick Baddour and UNC Football Head Coach Butch Davis spoke about what they called "improprieties that occurred outside the classroom" involving some football players. irTo everyone who loves this university, I'm sorry for what I have to tell you t" Thorp said.
Few details about the misconduct have been released, because an investigation is underway.
However, the chancellor did say the incident involves a former undergraduate tutor and student athletes. irWe will find out what happened and we will not let these mistakes happen again 6" Thorp said.
During the conference, officials said they do not yet know the extent of the issue because they are at the beginning to middle stages of their investigation. A review is currently underway and a team of academic leaders has been assembled to look into the misconduct.
North Carolina's athletic director said the review may extend into to the start of the season. "This investigation now has two prongs; I want to caution you in making assumptions if student athletes don't play, 11 Baddour said.
The NCAA had already been investigating UNC for possible violations involving current football players, former players and one assistant coa
According to the NCAA, some players may have had improper contact with sports agents and possibly received improper benefits.
Meanwhile, sources tell ABC11 Eyewitness News that the tutor allegedly wrote papers for some of the players and also worked with Coach Davis1 family.
"One of five individuals employed by our family in the past three years as an academic coach and adviser," Davis said.
From CBSNews.com:
UNC kicks Brown, Burney off team as investigation widens •By Will Brinson* •Special to CBSSporta.com* Aug. 26, 2010
To say that things regarding the NCAA investigation in Chapel Hill heated up today would be an understatement -- Inside Carolina reported that UNC self-reported "academic issues pertaining to a tutor."
As soon as that happened, the proverbial mess hit the fan: Our own Dennis Dodd reported that the University will announce a "widening of an NCAA investigation" at the 7:30 ET news conference the school has scheduled.
That same tutor, according to reports from ESPN's Joe Schad and Inside Carolina's Greg Barnes, also (inexplicably) served as the nanny for UNC head coach Butch Davis.
A source has also told CBSSports.com that two players, cornerbacks Charles Brown and Kendrick Burney, have already been kicked off of the football team.
At this time, we cannot confirm whether or not those dismissals will be announced during Thursday night's press conference.
Additionally, the same source told CBSSports.com that "four players have been cleared and the rest are toast" --- meaning four of the defensive starters on Carolina's team.
Erin Summers of WRAL in Raleigh also reported that "it's all but four players on the starting defense who are involved in the academic infractions."
The information from our source falls right in line with the -- as yet unconfirmed -- reports that the majority of the defensive starters were removed from the first team reps during Carolina's closed practice, and that Chancellor Hoiden Thorp addressed the football team on the field earlier.
It is believed that Thorp, along with Davis and athletic director Dick Baddour, will be present at the news conference.
As a matter of interest only in the sense of reasonable practicality, the Las Vegas betting line for the UNC-LSU game has been removed from many online gambling sites.
Joni B. Worthington Vice President for Communications The University of North Carolina General Administration 910 Raleigh Road P.O. Box 2688 Chapel Hill, NC 27515-2688 Phone: (919) 962-4629 FAX: (919) 962-5463